Career change as a forklift driver

Career change paths

• Crane operator

  Also: Overhead crane operator

  With on-the-job training

  As a crane operator, you move material and cargo with overhead, loading or construction cranes.

  What you bring:

  You assess loads confidently, maneuver precisely and work to fixed safety rules.

  How to get there:

  You get your crane license through a course under DGUV Principle 309-003 (DGUV Grundsatz 309-003). For overhead cranes it usually takes a few days, and for tower cranes on construction sites longer. Written authorization by the company is added.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,153gross per monthMedian salary

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• Construction machine operator

  Also: Wheel loader operator, Excavator operator

  With on-the-job training

  On a wheel loader or excavator, you need exactly that, on construction sites, in gravel pits or at recycling yards.

  What you bring:

  You control heavy vehicles precisely and have a feel for weight, center of gravity and hazards in the work area.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at a construction or earthworks company, often with a construction machine course of a few weeks. If you want a qualification, you can do retraining (Umschulung) as a construction equipment operator (Baugeräteführer).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Little customer contactLots of time outdoors

  €4,089gross per monthMedian salary

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• Machine and plant operator

  Also: Machine operator

  With on-the-job training

  At packaging and filling plants, you set up machines, monitor operation and fix simple faults.

  What you bring:

  You work in shift rhythm, pay attention to safety and know material flow and packaging from the warehouse.

  How to get there:

  You can start as a machine operator with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) at the company, usually lasting a few weeks. Shift work is usual. You can also reach the qualification as a machine and plant operator (Maschinen- und Anlagenführer/in; training 2 years) through retraining (Umschulung) or as an external exam (Externenprüfung) under § 45 para. 2 BBiG.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €3,941gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for industrial truck operators

  Also: Forklift trainer

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As a trainer, you train new drivers in theory and practice and conduct the exams.

  What you bring:

  You drive safely, know the typical mistakes and accident hazards in forklift driving and can demonstrate the handling well.

  How to get there:

  With several years of forklift practice, you can take a course to become a trainer for industrial truck operators under DGUV Principle 308-001 (DGUV Grundsatz 308-001), usually lasting a few days. After that you train at your own company or at a training provider. You can do this full-time or as an additional task.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekends

  €5,075gross per monthMedian salary

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• Warehouse specialist

  Also: Warehouse logistics specialist

  With retrainingPromotion

  As a specialist, you also take on goods receipt inspection, inventory management, stocktaking and shipping documents.

  What you bring:

  You know storage locations, pallets, load securing and working with a scanner and warehouse software.

  How to get there:

  Vocational training (Ausbildung) as a warehouse specialist (Fachlagerist/in) takes 2 years, and as a warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) 3 years. Retraining (Umschulung) as a warehouse logistics specialist usually takes about 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). With enough work experience in the warehouse (3 or 4.5 years respectively), the exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) without training is also possible under § 45 para. 2 BBiG.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workPhysically demandingLittle customer contact

  €3,235gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lead hand in the warehouse

  Also: Shift supervisor in logistics

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a lead hand or shift supervisor, you assign drivers and warehouse staff, plan the order of jobs and watch occupational safety.

  What you bring:

  You know the processes at the ramp, high-bay racking and shipping and know where congestion and accidents arise.

  How to get there:

  This usually happens in stages, via lead hand work (Vorarbeit) or shift leadership. The upgrading course to become a certified logistics master craftsperson (Geprüfte/r Logistikmeister/in, IHK) is possible part-time alongside work and is eligible for Aufstiegs-BAföG (state funding for advanced vocational qualifications). Without a vocational qualification, you are admitted to the first part of the exam after 4 years of work experience, and to the second part after another year.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLittle customer contact

  €4,126gross per monthMedian salary

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• Professional driver

  Also: Truck driver

  With further training

  As a truck driver, you bring the goods to the customer yourself and work largely independently on the road.

  What you bring:

  You know loading and unloading, load securing and maneuvering at the ramp from every shift.

  How to get there:

  You need a driving license class C or CE plus the accelerated basic qualification (Grundqualifikation; 140 hours of instruction with an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, IHK). Together they usually take a few months and are often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). The alternative is vocational training (Ausbildung) as a professional driver (Berufskraftfahrer/in), 3 years.*Regulated by law (Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV), Driving License Ordinance (FeV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift work

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

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• Train driver

  Also: Shunting locomotive driver

  With further training

  As a train driver, you drive trains in regional or freight transport or shunt in stations and factory sites.

  What you bring:

  You are used to shift work, follow safety rules exactly and control vehicles in a focused way in tight areas.

  How to get there:

  You qualify as a train driver (Triebfahrzeugführer) with a railway company or training provider, usually in about one year, and it is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). A medical and a psychological fitness examination are also required. For shunting locomotives, a shorter qualification is sometimes enough.*Regulated by law (Train Driver License Ordinance (TfV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Often at weekendsShift workLittle customer contact

  €4,322gross per monthMedian salary

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• Shipping dispatcher

  Also: Dispatcher

  With retraining

  In dispatching, you plan loadings, routes and deadlines and coordinate with drivers and customers.

  What you bring:

  You know loading sequences, shipping documents, ramp times and the problems when a truck is late.

  How to get there:

  This usually goes through a commercial qualification, for example retraining (Umschulung) as a clerk for freight forwarding and logistics services (Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Spedition und Logistikdienstleistung), which usually takes 2 years and is often eligible for funding with an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Experienced warehouse staff also sometimes move internally, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightIn an office

  €4,414gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.